[Mechanisms of development of the dome in the semicircular canals of birds. I. Cellular secretion].

A study of the crista ampullaris of the vestibular apparatus was carried out in chicken embryos. The study group included embryos between stages 24 and 39 of Hamburger-Hamilton. This study elucidates the relationship of the cupula with respect to the epithelium of the crista ampullaris. With electron microscopic examination, the rough endoplasmic reticulum of the crista epithelial sustentacular cells at developmental stage of 31 H-H, demonstrated dilatations containing secretory material. Vesicles, with adhering ribosomes appear to be formed from these dilatations. At later stages of development, the vesicular material took on the characteristics of the fibrillary material composing the cupula. In some cells, secretory vesicles are seen near the apical border of these cells, where they apparently secrete vesicular contents into the endolymphatic space, contributing to the formation of the cupula.